Tweezers



Dec, 19, 1940, c. A. GRATIOT 2,224,384 TWEEZERS' Filed Sept. 6', i938Fig.1 2 1 3 L -x :ufl: If]

In ventor:

Chester A. Gratiot,

WWKM I Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES TWEEZERS Chester A. Gratiot,PortlancL'Oreg.

Application September 6, 1938, Serial No. 228,620

type employed by surgeons and beauty-culturists for the removal ofslivers, hair, and other like minute particles from the skin.

The principal object of my invention is to provide in such an instrumenta finely critical operation thereof of great value.

A second object of my invention is the provision for extreme portabilityin the form of a pocket-piece.

A third object is the provision of certain auxiliary elements incooperative conjunction to provide for asepsis of the operative portionsof the instrument and the immediate availability thereof for use inaccordance with best antiseptic practices.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent in thefollowing discourse wherein the significance of the reference charactersin the accompanying drawing, details of construction and manner of useof a typical instrument embodying my invention, and the particularadvantages thereof are explained.

Figure 1 represents a view of the complete instrument as carried in thepocket.

Figure 2 represents a view of the instrument from which one cap has beenremoved to expose for use an auxiliary needle-point or prod.

Figure 3 represents a view of the cap removed from the instrument asshown in Figure 2, partly in longitudinal section to reveal anantiseptic packing.

Figure 4 represents a view of the end of the instrument as shown inFigure 2.

Figure 5 represents a view of the instrument from which the opposite caphas been removed to reveal the tweezers as viewed in one direction.

Figure 6 represents a view of the cap which has been removed from theinstrument as shown in Figure 5 partly in longitudinal section to revealan antiseptic packing.

Figure 7 represents a view of the instrument as shown in Figure 5 but ofthe lateral aspect thereof.

Figures 8, 9, and 10, are diagrams illustrative of the manner ofoperation of the tweezers.

Figure 11 is a diagram illustrative of the manner of use of theauxiliary prod in the removal of slivers.

The instrument consists of a body I integral with a pair of tweezers Iand a rigid extension 4 supporting a prod 5 formed with an angularlydisposed and curved point 6. A cap 3 containing an antiseptic packing l3encases the prod 5 and is retained by friction with the body-extension4.

(c1. 12 s s54) The cap 2, similarly encasing the tweezers is retained inthe closed position by friction with the legs of the tweezers whichnormally expand when the cap 2 is removed.

The tweezers are formed in detail with a rigid 5 leg ID between whichand the body I no flexure is contemplated, and a spring supported leg Ijoined to the body by means of the spring por tion II. The portions ofthe tweezer-legs I and 8 are comparatively rigid and are fashioned withbevels 8 and 9 forming the edges [4 and IS inclined with the axis of theinstrument to provide an initial contact of the edges at the mostextreme points thereof. The point I4 is ground with a slight feather asindicated in the Figure 5 7. Both points of the tweezers become embeddedin the antiseptic packing l2 when the cap 2 is replaced.

The use and operation of the instrument with its auxiliary elementscomprising the prod 5, the 20 caps 2 and 3 and the antiseptic packingscontained therein are. peculiarly cooperative in the practice of asepslsin emergency use.

The instrument being a pocket-piece is readily available for use. Thecaps provide protection 25 against mechanical damage to the operativeelements and serve as sterilizing chambers normally in operativeconjunction and provide against contamination when opposite ends of theinstrument are used.

A sliver, for example is first located, revealed, or loosened with theprod 5 and the cap 3 whose interior is in a sterile condition isreplaced with the remaining hand of the operator. The instrument is thenturned in the fingers grasping the 35 body I to extend the cap' 2 whichis in turn removed to reveal the tweezers in a sterile condition.

The point 15 is placed under the protruding end of the sliver and theleg I is pressed into 40 opposite engagement. Depending upon where theoperators finger is placed upon the leg I, the force applied will bedivided between two resolved movements of the point l4. First, the point[4, with its feather edge, will contact the 45 sliver and grip the samein cooperation with the point I5, and, second, the point I 4 will recedeupon the point l5 as shown in the diagrams 8,

9, and I0.

In the diagrams, the sliver is represented by 50 t which in Figure 8 hasbeen grasped between the points of the tweezers. Pressure upon the leg1' causes a fiexure of the spring portion l I' as shown in Figure 9resulting in a foreshortening of the leg 1' with reference to the legII). In Figure 55 10, this action is depicted as having reached a finalstage when the sliver has been completely and automatically extractedwithout disturbing the point of the leg with reference to the site ofoperation. This action is an effective preventative of vibrationnormally caused by tensed finger muscles necessary to the operation oftweezers.

In Figure 11 is shown the use of the bent prod 5' in effectively bracingthe instrument against vibration by resting the prod upon the skin whilethe point B is manipulated by a rotary movement of the body-part 4' toextract the sliver by a force reacting against the skin s in minutelygaged degrees as required.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Tweezers consisting of two rigid legs formed with apposed points andcomplementary grips one of which is formed with a reduced sectionadjacent the juncture of said legs capable of simple and compoundflexure to normally hold the points apart and guide the same intotransversely approached contact when impelled together by pressure onsaid grips and by further and increased pressure to retract the movablepoint upon the stationary point.

2. Tweezers consisting of two rigid legs joined at one end in apposedand spaced relationship formed with points and complementary gripsmedially of the ends and one of which legs adjacent the juncture withthe other is characterized by a. transverse section of reduceddimensions to form a spring element capable of simple and compoundfiexure to provide lateral and iongitudinal movement of one pointsuccessively upon the use of increased pressures upon the said grips.

3. Tweezers consisting of two apposed rigid legs joined at one end inspaced relationship, formed with points, grips medially of the ends, andone of which legs is formed with a spring segment adjacent the juncturethereof with the other leg.

CHESTER A. GRATIOT.

